Chapter 42 - 41: What are Identity and Status (Please Collect)

Chapter 42: Chapter 41: What are Identity and Status (Please Collect)"Hongfei, why are you back so late? Is it very busy at your leader’s office? If it’s really that busy, you can go back. Nothing much is happening here. It’s just your cousin, Jiang Shu; he said he can get into the academy, so we’re having a family get-together to celebrate in advance." Jiang Yongren held his wine glass, his face already showing signs of intoxication. His gaze was hazy, and he completely missed his son’s unease. "Brother, are you too tired from socializing? You should rest." It was Jiang Yinglei, sitting in the corner, who noticed her brother’s poor state and immediately stood up to greet him. Supported by Jiang Yinglei, Jiang Hongfei made his way to the nearest seat. He lowered his head and, with a quick glance at Jiang Shu, revealed eyes filled with extremely complex emotions. "Hongfei, what’s wrong?" By now, everyone could see that something was amiss with Jiang Hongfei. After all, whenever Jiang Hongfei was at the dinner table, he would invariably dominate the conversation with talk of recent political changes and the situation in Xia Country. But today, he hadn’t uttered a single word. Seeing the originally somewhat lively atmosphere at the table freeze, Jiang Xiangrong, the grandfather seated at the head, spoke up. "N-nothing’s wrong." After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Hongfei clamped his mouth shut, saying nothing more. His mind had turned to mush ever since Jiang Shu had addressed someone as ’Uncle Zheng.’ He had no idea what happened after that. All he knew was that everything he had ever done in front of his younger cousin now seemed like a colossal joke! All that talk about successfully landing a stable position, about being deeply favored by his superiors. Compared to Jiang Shu, who could converse so amicably with Director Zheng... what did all his achievements even count for? "Ah, he’s probably just exhausted from all the networking. Hongfei has been very busy lately. He mentioned last time that the Bureau of Culture and Tourism might have new tasks coming up, and he might even have to work overtime. It can’t be helped; it’s all for Xia Country, for serving the people." Seeing his son sitting silently with his head down, Jiang Yongren quickly stood up to smooth things over. "No matter how busy you are, you need to rest properly. Health is the capital of revolution, isn’t it? Hongfei, you’re the eldest grandson of our Jiang Family, the most successful among us. If you’re healthy, then Grandpa can rest easy too." "Alright, we’re all at the table now, so let’s not dwell on work. Let’s eat and drink. Today is a joyous occasion, after all. Yongyi mentioned that Shu can get into the academy based on his Martial Arts achievements. Grandpa is old and doesn’t understand much about these things." "I just hope that after you get into the academy, Shu, you study hard and strive to pass the civil service exam after graduation, just like your big brother Hongfei. That way, our Jiang Family will have two iron rice bowls." "That would make Grandpa so proud!" Jiang Xiangrong said encouragingly, his gaze shifting from Jiang Hongfei to Jiang Shu. In his view, good grades as a student weren’t all that important; the kind of job one secured later in life was what truly mattered! His granddaughter, Jiang Yinglei, for instance, was at a prestigious university, wasn’t she? But he didn’t approve of her working for a foreign company! So what if she earned 20,000 or 30,000 a month? Was it stable? His eldest son, Jiang Yongren, ran a business. In good years, he could make 400,000 or 500,000. But so what? Any minor section chief could make him host lavish banquets and receptions. He was old, yes, but not senile. In Xia Country, having a lot of money was no match for having power. His grandson, Jiang Hongfei, might only be an ordinary civil servant with little power for now. But in a few years? A low salary didn’t matter. Once you had power, what couldn’t you obtain? As soon as Jiang Xiangrong finished speaking, Xu Lizhi’s brow furrowed. She kicked her husband, Jiang Yongyi, under the table. Jiang Yongyi reacted instantly, uncharacteristically talking back to his own father, "Dad, the boy has his own ideas. Whatever he wants to do when the time comes, we, as his elders, just need to support him." A couple of days ago, after their son had laid his cards on the table, he had shared many of his inner thoughts and speculations about the future with them. They knew clearly that their son had absolutely no intention of pursuing a career in politics. His heart was set solely on Martial Arts. Before Grandpa Jiang Xiangrong could say anything more, Eldest Uncle Jiang Yongren interjected, shaking his head, "Yongyi, what you’re saying is wrong. For someone ambitious like Hongfei, we parents simply need to provide support because our perspective might not match his. But Jiang Shu is still young. Entering the academy through Martial Arts is like those chess prodigies or esports geniuses who get special admission into top universities. "This is reaping the benefits of the times, but what about the future? Dad’s not wrong at all. These days, any profession is just a temporary meal ticket. Only being a civil servant is truly stable!" "Elder brother, are you implying that in Xia Country, only aiming to be a civil servant counts as having lofty aspirations?" Jiang Yongyi retorted. "What else? End up jobless like you, driving for DiDi? Or like your wife, get fired and then open a clothing store? Don’t you realize academic degrees are depreciating? If you can’t get into a Master’s or PhD program, even graduating from a top university with just a bachelor’s degree won’t land you a good job! Without a good job, there’s no stability. Your current situation is what awaits Jiang Shu and Yanyue in the future." "You!" "Enough! Stop arguing! Let’s eat!" Jiang Xiangrong slammed his hand on the table forcefully. In the Jiang Family, Jiang Xiangrong had absolute authority. After all, he had personally arranged the marriages of his three sons, handling everything from building their houses to making all necessary preparations. Now that his three sons were married and had families of their own, they wouldn’t dare make waves in his presence. Instantly, the dinner table fell into silence. Everyone ate quietly. "Mom, Dad, I’m full. Let’s go," Jiang Shu suddenly said, standing up as he noticed Jiang Yanyue had stopped eating. His parents were his parents. His sister was his sister. But as for other relatives, he didn’t necessarily acknowledge them. Even though, by blood, they were direct relatives. Not making a scene then and there was already giving them considerable face. "It’s rare for us to get together. Stay a little longer." Seeing Jiang Xiangrong’s face tighten, Jiang Yongyi quickly pressed Jiang Shu back down into his seat. They ate in relative silence for another half hour. The entire gathering ended in a ridiculously anticlimactic fashion. Due to the argument during the meal, as they left the private room, the families went their separate ways. Each small family unit stuck together, keeping to themselves. "Oh? Hongfei, isn’t that your superior, Section Chief Guo, over there?" Suddenly, as they descended the stairs, Jiang Yongren’s eyes lit up, and he pointed at a portly, middle-aged man near the main entrance. "Dad, don’t say any more. Let’s just go home," Jiang Hongfei said, tugging at the corner of Jiang Yongren’s shirt. If it were the old him, he would have definitely made a point of standing out, striding over to Section Chief Guo to chat. But now... he just wanted to go home and get a good night’s sleep. However, Jiang Hongfei himself hadn’t expected that just as he finished speaking, Section Chief Guo would look up, wave at them, and call out a greeting. "See? Even if you don’t go over, Section Chief Guo saw you and is coming to find you," Jiang Yongren said proudly to those around them. "Hongfei is just too low-profile. In the department, he’s actually highly regarded by the leadership." Jiang Xiangrong nodded in agreement upon hearing this. He looked towards Jiang Yongyi’s family and said, "All of you just stay and watch. You don’t listen when I offer advice, so just observe Hongfei. Entering the department at such a young age, maintaining a good relationship with the section chief—even the section chief himself comes over to greet him when they meet." "Jiang Shu, you got accepted into the academy, but even after you graduate, would a section chief come over to shake your hand?" "That’s the difference." "Watch carefully and learn. Going to university is just the first step. When you step out into society, you’ll understand what identity and status truly mean." Jiang Xiangrong and Jiang Yongren both straightened their attire. Only Jiang Hongfei stood rooted to the spot. He knew it was highly unlikely Section Chief Guo was looking for him. Sure enough, the next second, Section Chief Guo’s voice was heard, "Brother Jiang, what a coincidence! We meet again. Feel free to visit our Bureau of Culture and Tourism anytime you’re free. Just give me a call; I’m there on workdays." Section Chief Guo hurried over, practically taking three steps for every two, his gaze not falling on Jiang Xiangrong, Jiang Yongren, or Jiang Hongfei. Instead, he walked straight towards Jiang Shu, who was standing in a corner of the stairwell, his chubby face beaming with the widest possible smile. He stretched out both hands, tightly grasped Jiang Shu’s right hand, and shook it vigorously!